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Congratulations on your new Ody. Keep us informed as you rack up the Smiles 8^)
The difference between an '05 EX and EX-L is now $2300, for which you get leather, moonroof, VCM, ANC, heated seats, and adjustable front seat arm rests. That's a huge jump.
Does anyone know if Honda has added more leather to the seats and interior, and if the 3rd seat is now leather?
1995 GS300 - bought at 135,000 miles. Climate control lights went out, leaked power steering fluid, and the power tilt/telescopic wheel stopped working.
1991 Toyota MR2 - my husband had this car before he met me but at 20,000 miles or so the turbos failed and he had to have them replaced.
1987 Toyota Camry - My mother-in-law bought a new one in 87 and had her head gasket fail at 17,000 miles
None of the above are major problems but it does show that no car is perfect. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Toyota though nor would I hesitate to buy an Odyssey. Although I do normally like to wait a few months into production before I buy a brand new model. But our 03 Accord coupe bought in December (new model was introduced in September) was perfect in the 16,000 miles we owned it before trading it for a sedan out of necessity.
The EX-L RES MSRP lists at 32400. Two dealers would not even talk about reducing their prices which were MSRP plus $1700. Two other dealers did negotiate. I ended up buying one for MSRP, though it wasn't easy.
Bottom line - be willing to shop around, as you would for any vehicle. I might have even done better if I threatened to buy a SIENNA as a negotiating tactic. (P.S. I don't think the SIENNA comes close to the ODY)
Honda loyalists in this forum are defending the '05 Odyssey's lack of AWD by declaring it's unnecessary. I predict Honda will sell all the AWD's it can make as soon as the company realizes this glaring omission in its product line-up.
I trust Honda knows their market well enough to know people will pay it, and I certainly hope that those who do enjoy their vehicles, but, at 31K for an EX-L, I can't imagine being one of them. You've saved me a trip to the dealer.
Not everyone lives in the snow belt and AWD is all but useless here in the SE where a good set of all-season tires with lots of tread will get you through all four seasons without issue. The driver skill probably makes more difference in the inclement weather than any AWD system ever will.
hlefty: Which dealer in Atlanta did you purchase from?
I'm in Colorado Springs-- and I must say that TEAM HONDA hasn't been any help (in a number of issues). I would recommend that EVERYONE go to Vidmar -- such a pleasant buying experience!
I once read an article about the so called "leather interior" in automobiles. Only a few makers use leather for entire seats. Most of them, you guess it, German. Not even Lexus! The so called, "leather trimmed", "leather seating surface", etc. all mean that the portions that your body normally touch while seating on them are leather. Other portions are just color/texture-matched vinyl. Now, the 3rd seat being entirely vinyl... I don't know how to defend that for Honda. They are just trying to cut cost, I guess.
Having said that, I have never noticed a torn seat in an Odyssey (although I have with other Hondas), and I think manufacturers have really improved the quality of both the leather and vinyl to prevent this from happening in modern cars.
Perhaps roads in Boston suburbs are are better--and more frequently--maintained than here.
I'm just sharing my experience. Don't tell me I'm wrong, unless you were driving my van in my neighborhood while I was sleeping.
Sounds like you're defending Honda's lack of AWD availability by declaring it's unnecessary. I can't wait to read all the posts here from loyalists about how wonderful AWD is when Honda offers it on the '06 Ody.
Too bad the Sienna doesn't have a lot more chrome grille, fluorescent instrument panel, and the same NAV as the Ody or at least the LS430.
Also add in a SPARE 8th seat that can be stored under the floor (most of the time).
And I'm not a techy. NAV systems are a neat gimmick, I guess--assuming the software stays up to date, and you travel to lots of different urban areas. We generally fly to far-away destinations, and I don't need NAV to tell me where I am in my little town. So the whole NAV envy thing doesn't make a difference to me; I wouldn't check that option box on either van.
But I agree, the more option choices available, the better. I predict Honda will offer AWD in the near future, and catch up to the Sienna in this regard.
Has this been confirmed, or is it just wishful thinking?
Bob
If the 2005 Ody offers an AWD oiption for an extra $500, will people opt for the AWD? I think the *majority* (not all) of the buyers will opt for the AWD.
Nevertheless, depending on one's needs, I don't agree that AWD would be chosen by the majority if available. Based on EPA estimates, which are considered OK for comparative purposes, an AWD Sienna will use 16% more fuel (highway) and 11% more fuel (city) than a 05 Odyssey with VCM. That is a substantial difference and would likely be enough to keep those with marginal need for AWD away.
In addition, it's a bit hard for me to understand judgments being made about the relative differences between an AWD Sienna and an Odyssey with traction/stability control given that no one has actually driven the Odyssey.
Give people the ULTIMATE minivan they desire and everyone deserves:-)
Throw in HID, Laser Cruise, Woodtrim, Gated shifter, CHROME, more CHROME, and even more chrome:-)
But seriously, yeah, who would complain about having AWD? Who would complain about having more features as long as it's only $500?
If the small penalty in gas mileage keeps somone from buying AWD, the tail is wagging their dog--and they probably shouldn't be buying a $30,000+ vehicle in the first place.
If Honda does offer AWD I will not start saying how awesome they are for doing it nor would I buy an AWD Odyssey. Especially if I am living in the same area at that time. Eventually I am going to have to relocate for my work. If I move into the snow belt I would prefer an AWD vehicle but plenty of people make it up there with FWD and a good set of snow tires. I'm sure there are even Mustangs, Camaros, and other RWD vehicles up there as well.
I drove home in the remnants of Hurricane Ivan last Thursday in our 03 Civic Si with 17" high-performance tires and I made it home just fine. If you adjust your driving for conditions AWD is still not a necessity. In fact, it probably gives people a false sense of security leading to higher speeds which might lead to more accidents if they are an inexperienced driver.
Anytime you have to stop on a steep incline that is iced over can be problematic for FWD.
I'm 'in the snow belt' as anonomous puts it. With my current non-traction control FWD vehicle, I have to get a running start to make it up the driveway half the winter it seems like. With my wifes AWD, I can stop it half way up, and sit there, and then take right off again and finish going up. That's the difference.
But I guess if length permits, I would be "AndrewChromeWoodNavGatedshifterLasercruise71".
But at least it's not as bad as "hansienna", which is really funny since he liked the Ody better than the Sienna, and ended up buying a Chrysler T&C !!!!!
One other question--I am planning on getting the Touring model. Has anyone driven it yet? How are the tires? Just wondering about these Michelin PAX tires. Any difference in feel when driving? Any idea about replacement cost since the car does not come with a spare?
"The 2005 Odyssey is available in four distinct and well-equipped trim levels: LX, EX, EX with Leather, and the new Touring. Additionally, EX with Leather models can be equipped with the Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System (RES) or with RES and Honda's Satellite-Linked Navigation System. Touring models are available with DVD Rear Entertainment System and Navigation System."
It seems an Odyssey with just NAVI (and no RES) is no longer an option. I wonder if Honda made this decision based on slow sales of the '04 and previous years' EX-L with NAVI.
It's also maybe why Honda came out with a special '04 model: Honda EX cloth with DVD. It may have had excess inventory of the RES systems.
Thanks!
As I have previously posted here, the PAX system is priorative technology. You will not be able to use any other brand, or--unlike AWD Sienna run-flats--mount conventional tires if you wish to later on. So Honda & Michelin will be shooting fish in a barrel come replacement time, and their dealers will be forcing you to swim up to the gun. Hold onto your wallet.
And Vehicle Stability Assist is standard in Odysssy (all trims).
The solution is easy though if you do not like the PAX sytem. You can have the dealer include a normal set of wheels and tires as part of your deal. Or you can probably get a cheap set off of ebay as well.
40K miles, 60K miles, 80K miles?